DAVAO CITY: The towns of Don Marcelino and Malita in Davao Occidental have declared states of calamity following a week of intense rainfall attributed to an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), impacting thousands of residents and causing significant infrastructure damage. Local authorities have been working to address the situation as communities grapple with the aftermath of severe weather conditions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 11 in the Davao Region issued a statement on Thursday announcing that the local government of Don Marcelino had ratified Sangguniang Bayan Resolution 207 series of 2024, officially declaring a state of calamity effective December 28. The decision followed similar action taken by the town of Malita, prompted by the ongoing adverse weather effects. As of January 1, the OCD-11 reported that the ITCZ had affected 12 barangays in Don Marcelino, impacting 2,753 families or a total of 14,360 individuals.
The severe weather has led to significant infrastructure challenges, with the bridge in Barangay North Lamidan on the national highway to Jose Abad Santos town remaining impassable. Additional roadblocks include the road pavement in Barangay Baluntaya, which is inaccessible to light vehicles, and the barangay road in Barangay Nueva Villa, now only navigable by motorcycles. The bridge in Barangay Calian also sustained damage. Furthermore, three barangays in Don Marcelino are currently experiencing power outages.
The heavy rains and subsequent flooding have resulted in the destruction of 49 houses and inflicted damage on 15 more, exacerbating the hardship faced by local communities. In response, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has distributed essential supplies, including 1,430 family food packs valued at PHP2.2 million to the affected barangays. Additional relief efforts include the provision of 2,628 family kits, 1,178 kitchen kits, and 10 modular tents to support displaced families.
The impact of the ITCZ in Davao Occidental has also been marked by casualties, with one person confirmed dead, two individuals missing, and 20 others injured. The adverse conditions, which began on December 26, have triggered flooding and landslides across various municipalities in the region, notably affecting areas in Davao Occidental, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
